Parents of Preschoolers  Discussion Forum

Unlike men, women often do not experience classic chest pain symptoms during a heart attack. Instead, they may feel less obvious sensations, such as pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders or back stomach discomfort sudden trouble breathing and even flu-like symptoms, according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

What' s more, women (and men) who are obese, have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease, should be particularly concerned if they experience these symptoms. sonu replied. An average cycle lasts 28 days, but it can fluctuate. Your cycle is controlled by hormones that prepare your body for a possible pregnancy every month. The first day of your cycle is the day you start bleeding. Your body is shedding the lining of blood built up in your uterus. This usually lasts two to seven days. The second day is sometimes the day that women bleed most heavily. While you only lose about 1/4 cup blood during your period, sometimes it can seem like more.
roma replied. Endometriosis is a condition found only in females. The endometrium is the inside lining of the uterine cavity. Endometriosis occurs when some of the lining gets out of the uterus through the fallopian tubes and deposits in the pelvis or abdominal cavity. This happens because the fallopian tubes open into the pelvic cavity. Normally, when an ovary releases an egg during ovulation, it goes to the fallopian tube which \" catches it\" and then the egg travels down the tube to the cavity of the uterus. But this tube can also allow parts of the uterine lining to escape into the pelvis.
gita replied. The decision to have an abortion is extremely personal and varies drastically from individual to individual. If you are considering an abortion, think carefully about what is right for you before taking action. This includes not just how you feel now, but how this might affect you in the future. Consulting your parents, doctor or another trusted adult can help you with this choice. Counselors at women' s health clinics, such as Planned Parenthood, can provide information about different options (such as abortion, adoption or parenting) and the effect that each might have. raj replied. The problem arises among women who have periods/bleeds which are not linked to an ovulation. These \" non-ovulatory bleeds\" can occur randomly as the too thick lining of the uterus begins to shed on its own. The woman in this case could have a bleed and then an ovulation anytime thereafter. hema replied. Uterine fibroids are benign lumps that grow inside the uterus. Symptoms include heavy periods, cramping, painful sex, and an urge to urinate. Uterine fibroid treatments include hysterectomy, embolization, and hormone therapy. jijo replied. Premenstrual water retention causes a bloated, heavy feeling the week or two before your period begins. What causes water retention and other PMS symptoms is unclear, but hormonal changes seem to play a major role. Heredity might be a factor as well. Your diet — such as a lack of certain vitamins or too much salt — might also contribute to water retention. rakesh n replied. Does fatigue drag you down day after day? Do you have brain fog, weight gain, chills, or hair loss? Or is the opposite true for you: Are you often revved up, sweaty, or anxious? Your thyroid gland could be to blame. This great regulator of body and mind sometimes goes haywire, particularly in women. Getting the right treatment is critical to feel your best and avoid serious health problems. fida bano replied. Consult your doctor if:

You find a breast lump that' s new or unusual
A new breast lump doesn' t go away after your next period
An existing breast lump seems to have changed — it gets bigger, for instance
You notice skin changes on your breast, such as redness, crusting, dimpling or puckering
You notice changes in your nipple — it turns inward (inversion) or appears flatter, for instance
You notice nipple discharge that' s clear, yellow, green, brown or red
nilesh replied. Various types of cancer are of particular concern to women, including breast cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer and colorectal cancer. To reduce the risk of cancer, consider these general tips:

Don' t smoke. Using any type of tobacco puts you on a collision course with cancer. Avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke counts, too.
Maintain a healthy weight. Losing excess pounds — and keeping them off — may lower the risk of various types of cancer.
Get moving. In addition to helping you control your weight, physical activity on its own may lower the risk of certain types of cancer.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Although making healthy selections at the grocery store and at mealtime can' t guarantee cancer prevention, it may help reduce your risk.
Protect yourself from the sun. When you' re outdoors, cover up and use plenty of sunscreen.
Limit alcohol. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. The risk of various types of cancer — including cancer of the breast, colon, lung, kidney and liver — increases with the amount of alcohol you drink and the length of time you' ve been drinking regularly.
Breast-feed, if you can. Breast-feeding may help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Take early detection seriously. Consult your doctor for regular mammograms and other cancer screenings.
danny replied. Heart disease isn' t just a man' s disease — it' s also a major women' s health threat. Take charge of heart health by making healthier lifestyle choices. For example:

Don' t smoke. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit. It' s also important to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
Eat a healthy diet. Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods and lean sources of protein, such as fish. Limit foods high in saturated fat and sodium.
Manage chronic conditions. If you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, follow your doctor' s treatment recommendations. If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control.
Include physical activity in your daily routine. Choose sports or other activities you enjoy, from brisk walking to ballroom dancing.
Maintain a healthy weight. Extra pounds increase the risk of heart disease.
Limit alcohol. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. Too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure.
Manage stress. If you feel constantly on edge or under assault, your lifestyle habits may suffer. Take steps to reduce stress — or learn to deal with stress in healthy ways.